Latest news with #CCC
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Cannabis testing lab reaches agreement with regulators to lift suspension
'Assured Testing Labs is pleased to have reached agreement with the Massachusetts CCC so that we can return to operations,' a company spokesperson said in a statement. 'While we disagree with aspects of how we got here, we are eager to return to what we do best: delivering scientific, evidence-backed testing with industry leading cannabis expertise.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Danny Carson, a cannabis workers' rights advocate with the Cannabis Worker Safety Coalition, said he was 'displeased' with the agreement, which he felt should have gone further to protect the health of cannabis workers and consumers. Advertisement The health impacts of consuming contaminated marijuana can be difficult to trace, but can include respiratory issues or The Commission last week issued an Advertisement The commission put an administrative hold on the products that had not yet been sold and created a health advisory web portal, but ultimately the onus is on consumers and retailers to follow through. A Commission spokesperson said the agency 'remains vigilant in its efforts to ensure consumers and patients have access to fully tested, safe products in the legal marketplace.' Some advocates say the advisory is too little, too late. 'I think it's a failure, once again, on the part of the CCC for workers, for consumers, and for the public,' Carson said. The advisory tells consumers to check the labels on their recreational or medical use marijuana products to see if they were tested between April 1, 2024, and April 15, 2025 and then cross reference the package label number with the Cannabis testing labs changing yeast and mold measurements to ensure higher pass rates on contaminant testing and attract business from cultivators is a widespread problem, Other states have issued recalls for safety reasons. New York in July issued a recall as a 'precautionary measure' following a product quarantine for concerns with testing accuracy. Missouri regulators Steve Reilly, head of government relations at retailer INSA, said a recall would have been appropriate given the uncertainty about the full extent of the problem. Reilly said INSA does not sell products tested by Assured, but it did not seem like there would be any consequences for retailers that did not follow recall procedures. Advertisement 'I think it's a good step,' Reilly said, 'but probably could have been sooner.' Each test sample can result in hundreds of product packages, meaning the process identifying all potentially affected products was 'labor and time intensive,' CCC enforcement counsel Timothy Goodin said at a public meeting on Thursday. Dr. Jordan Tishler, president of the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists, said it was reassuring to see the Commission issue a warning. But he said he worried that having to locate and compare label numbers, rather than brand or dispensary names, might deter people from heeding it. Tishler said he sent his patients an alert informing them of the advisory and instructing them to check their cannabis, but he said he has not heard from any of them with concerns. This either indicates everyone checked their products and everything was fine, he said, or, more likely, they ignored the warning or found it too confusing. For people with strong immune systems, Tishler said, the effects of consuming contaminated marijuana could take decades to appear. But for immunocompromised people — those receiving chemotherapy, for example — it could be life-threatening, he said. 'If you have cannabis at home, you really should make the effort to go online and make sure that it's okay, because it's not much ado about nothing,' he said. 'It could be something, and you should just take a few moments to check so that you're safe.' Stella Tannenbaum can be reached at
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Wexford GAA postpone club fixtures for Electric Picnic weekend
Wexford GAA has taken the step to call a gap weekend in their club schedule to coincide with the Electric Picnic music festival at the end of August. The decision was based on the events of last year, when several clubs sought postponements and re-fixtures on account of the festival. The county's relatively early exit from the inter-county championships in hurling and football in 2025 also played a part in the decision. "The CCC based it on what went on on that weekend last year," Wexford chairman John Kenny told the Irish Independent. "We had requests coming in from all over the place and everybody wanting to play their matches on a certain day at a certain time. "So we just had the weekend free in the calendar. Unfortunately, we were out of our inter-county championships earlier than we had hoped this year and we just had the weekend to play with and we said we'd put it in then." Kenny admitted that clubs and mentors were not universally happy with the decision, in light of the recent gap weekend called to coincide with the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which was held in Wexford this year.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Science-driven tobacco taxes can reduce harm
AS the government considers raising tobacco taxes in Budget 2026, the Consumer Choice Centre (CCC) urges policymakers to adopt a more effective and science-based approach. Risk-based taxation, where nicotine products are taxed according to their level of health risk, offers a practical solution that supports public health while avoiding unintended consequences, such as the growth of black market or barriers to harm reduction. While reducing non-communicable diseases is commendable, a uniform tax on all tobacco and nicotine products may do more harm than good. We support the government's health goals but applying the same tax to cigarettes, vaping products and other reduced-risk alternatives is counterproductive. Taxation should reflect relative harm so smokers are encouraged to switch to safer products. Malaysia already faces a significant challenge from the illicit tobacco trade. High excise rates on cigarettes have long pushed many consumers – particularly those in lower income groups – towards cheaper, unregulated products. Between 2002 and 2010, legal cigarette sales in Malaysia fell by 31%, from 19.5 billion to 13.5 billion sticks. During the same period, illicit consumption surged to 8.8 billion, pushing the black market share from 21% to 39% of total sales. The experience of other countries can provide essential lessons. In Australia, one of the countries with the highest tobacco taxes in the world, economists and public health experts had warned that continued tax hikes had failed to reduce smoking prevalence and instead have expanded the black market. The Guardian reported in June 2025 that the policy may have reached a tipping point, enriching criminal networks while producing diminishing public health returns. Since then, calls have been made for the government to freeze further excise increases and focus on reducing illicit trade and promoting access to safer alternatives. In contrast, countries that have embraced risk-based taxation are seeing positive outcomes. In Sweden, lower taxes on snus, a smokeless tobacco product, has helped bring smoking rates to under 5%. Sweden now records 41% fewer tobacco-related cancer cases and 44% lower tobacco mortality compared to the European Union average. Rather than punishing all nicotine use, Sweden encourages smokers to switch to less harmful options and the results are precise. New Zealand followed a similar path by reducing the excise tax on heated tobacco products by 50% in 2024 to support its national smoke-free goal. The measure was made permanent this year. This bold step was based on the understanding that tax incentives for reduced-risk products can support smokers looking for practical alternatives to combustible cigarettes. Malaysia can learn from successful and unsuccessful global examples. The experiences of Australia, Sweden and New Zealand show that the structure of taxation matters. We get better public health outcomes if we design a tax policy that supports switching. If we over-rely on punitive measures, we risk pushing people into the black market and losing control over the system. At the regional level, policy inconsistencies are already causing an impact. The ban on e-vaporisers in Singapore and Thailand has contributed to cross-border smuggling of vaping products from Malaysia, one of the largest producers of e-vapour devices in the world. Similarly, significant price differences between countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia can create financial incentives for illicit trade that undermine national regulation and tax collection. Malaysia should not repeat these mistakes. We need to build a system based on science that protects consumers and does not unintentionally support criminal networks. Risk-based taxation is not about removing regulation; it is about improving it. CCC recommends a tiered taxation model under Budget 2026. Products such as vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches – which have lower risk – should have a lower tax than combustible tobacco products. This structure would encourage adult smokers to make healthier choices without compromising public revenue or regulatory control. As Malaysia seeks to modernise its health system and address the burden of smoking-related diseases, risk-based taxation offers a responsible and forward-looking path. It aligns with international best practices while responding to local challenges. Taxation should support public health, not undermine it. By adopting a balanced and science-driven approach, Malaysia can lead the way in creating policies that protect consumers and the integrity of our public institutions.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
RM113 bln sick and abandoned housing projects revived by KPKT
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 1,171 private housing projects worth RM113.55 billion have been revived by the Task Force for Sick and Abandoned Private Housing Projects (TFST) under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu stated that this achievement involved the revival of 139,848 housing units since TFST's first meeting in 2023. She added that, as of June this year, TFST successfully revived 244 private housing projects covering 27,101 units with a gross development value (GDV) of RM21.07 billion. TFST also completed five abandoned projects involving 887 units worth RM55.74 million by ensuring they obtained the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC). The completed projects include Taman Meru Makmur and Pangsapuri Impian Meru in Klang, Selangor, as well as Taman Mega 1 in Kemaman, Terengganu. Other revived projects are Taman Desa Kempas Phase 3 in Tebrau, Johor, and Taman Megah Edora in Bachok, Kelantan. Aiman Athirah noted that TFST is currently monitoring 233 delayed, 360 sick, and 109 abandoned private housing projects nationwide. Regarding the Residensi Hektar Gombak project, she confirmed positive progress with Bina Permai Sdn Bhd accelerating construction through overtime work. - Bernama
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2024 layoffs; Zheng Geping awarded Public Service Medal for 15-year contribution to Woodlands CCC: Singapore live news
Logistics firm Ninja Van has laid off approximately 12 per cent of its workforce in Singapore, following two earlier rounds of job cuts in 2024. A company spokesperson confirmed the latest retrenchments on 12 Aug to The Straits Times (ST), describing them as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Ninja Van's business model. The spokesperson added that the decision was not made lightly. However, the company declined to disclose the current size of its Singapore team or indicate whether further layoffs are planned. Local actor Zheng Geping has been awarded the Public Service Medal for his 15-year service as a volunteer to the Woodlands Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC). Zheng, 61, is one of 7,210 recipients, across 22 categories, on the National Day Awards list. Zheng only signed up as a volunteer after a friend urged him to. He told Shin Min Daily News, "I joined because of my curiosity about what the team does. I am not a resident of Woodlands." Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2024 layoffs Logistics firm Ninja Van has laid off approximately 12 per cent of its workforce in Singapore, following two earlier rounds of job cuts in 2024. A company spokesperson confirmed the latest retrenchments on 12 Aug to The Straits Times (ST), describing them as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Ninja Van's business model. The spokesperson added that the decision was not made lightly. However, the company declined to disclose the current size of its Singapore team or indicate whether further layoffs are planned. "By streamlining our headquarter functions, we are also aligning resources to support our critical growth areas of tech-enabled business-to-business restock and cold chain, while ensuring seamless operations across all services," the spokesperson said. According to ST, several affected employees from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have taken to LinkedIn to share that they are now seeking new roles. Despite the downsizing, checks by ST also revealed that Ninja Van's careers page still lists more than 10 open positions in Singapore across various departments, including operations and service delivery. Ninja Van cut 10 per cent of its tech team in April 2024, and laid off 5 per cent of its Singapore workforce in July 2024. There were about 450 staff based at its Singapore corporate headquarters at that time. For more on the Ninja Van cuts, read here. Zheng Geping awarded Public Service Medal for 15-year contribution to Woodlands CCC Local actor Zheng Geping has been awarded the Public Service Medal for his 15-year service as a volunteer to the Woodlands Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC). Zheng, 61, is one of 7,210 recipients, across 22 categories, on the National Day Awards list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by zhenggeping-Edmund Tay郑各评 (@zhenggeping) Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday (9 Aug) that the director learnt about his award through Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar. Apart from his family, he didn't tell anyone else about the award as he felt he only made a small contribution to the community. Zheng only signed up as a volunteer after a friend urged him to. He told the Chinese daily, "I joined because of my curiosity about what the team does. I am not a resident of Woodlands." As a volunteer, Zheng actively participates in a range of community activities, such as distributing essentials to families in need, taking part in community performances, supporting fundraising efforts at charity events, and assisting at Meet-the-People sessions. He shared that being involved in these efforts has been a deeply fulfilling experience for him. Logistics firm Ninja Van has laid off approximately 12 per cent of its workforce in Singapore, following two earlier rounds of job cuts in 2024. A company spokesperson confirmed the latest retrenchments on 12 Aug to The Straits Times (ST), describing them as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen Ninja Van's business model. The spokesperson added that the decision was not made lightly. However, the company declined to disclose the current size of its Singapore team or indicate whether further layoffs are planned. "By streamlining our headquarter functions, we are also aligning resources to support our critical growth areas of tech-enabled business-to-business restock and cold chain, while ensuring seamless operations across all services," the spokesperson said. According to ST, several affected employees from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia have taken to LinkedIn to share that they are now seeking new roles. Despite the downsizing, checks by ST also revealed that Ninja Van's careers page still lists more than 10 open positions in Singapore across various departments, including operations and service delivery. Ninja Van cut 10 per cent of its tech team in April 2024, and laid off 5 per cent of its Singapore workforce in July 2024. There were about 450 staff based at its Singapore corporate headquarters at that time. For more on the Ninja Van cuts, read here. Zheng Geping awarded Public Service Medal for 15-year contribution to Woodlands CCC Local actor Zheng Geping has been awarded the Public Service Medal for his 15-year service as a volunteer to the Woodlands Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC). Zheng, 61, is one of 7,210 recipients, across 22 categories, on the National Day Awards list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by zhenggeping-Edmund Tay郑各评 (@zhenggeping) Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday (9 Aug) that the director learnt about his award through Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar. Apart from his family, he didn't tell anyone else about the award as he felt he only made a small contribution to the community. Zheng only signed up as a volunteer after a friend urged him to. He told the Chinese daily, "I joined because of my curiosity about what the team does. I am not a resident of Woodlands." As a volunteer, Zheng actively participates in a range of community activities, such as distributing essentials to families in need, taking part in community performances, supporting fundraising efforts at charity events, and assisting at Meet-the-People sessions. He shared that being involved in these efforts has been a deeply fulfilling experience for him. Local actor Zheng Geping has been awarded the Public Service Medal for his 15-year service as a volunteer to the Woodlands Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC). Zheng, 61, is one of 7,210 recipients, across 22 categories, on the National Day Awards list. View this post on Instagram A post shared by zhenggeping-Edmund Tay郑各评 (@zhenggeping) Shin Min Daily News reported on Saturday (9 Aug) that the director learnt about his award through Sembawang GRC MP Mariam Jaafar. Apart from his family, he didn't tell anyone else about the award as he felt he only made a small contribution to the community. Zheng only signed up as a volunteer after a friend urged him to. He told the Chinese daily, "I joined because of my curiosity about what the team does. I am not a resident of Woodlands." As a volunteer, Zheng actively participates in a range of community activities, such as distributing essentials to families in need, taking part in community performances, supporting fundraising efforts at charity events, and assisting at Meet-the-People sessions. He shared that being involved in these efforts has been a deeply fulfilling experience for him.
